The Digital Delirium: Homoeopathic Management of Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD)
Introduction
Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) is a relatively new form of behavioral addiction that is now becoming a prevalent phenomenon in society, particularly for young adults and students who are becoming increasingly dependent on using technology daily. There are a number of negative physical, social, and emotional effects associated with IGD; in particular, it results in cases of irritation of the brain and a loss of abilities to complete or carry out tasks successfully.
“Digital Delirium” is not just a new term for playing too much–it describes a condition in which the brain becomes so dependent upon the digital arena, and as a result the person is losing touch with reality.
What is IGD?
Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) is not just a bad habit – it’s a form of behavioral addiction. Like one can be addicted to substances, so too, someone dealing with IGD is addicted to the “rush” they get when they manage to win a level, discover some unique thing in-game, or simply earn likes and views for their work in a virtual reality environment.
When we accomplish something, our brain releases a certain amount of chemical known as dopamine. It’s how games are designed to give us a constant supply of small amounts of dopamine in order to stimulate the brain. After some time, the brain gets accustomed to this increased level of stimulation. As a result, normal things like attending classes, dining with one’s family members, or even reading a book start to seem extremely boring and mundane. This is the point of “delirium.” At this point, one finds that the virtual world means more to them than their real world.
Clinical Manifestations
It may be hard for family members or friends to determine whether gaming has progressed from a form of “fun” to become an “illness.” There are, however, definite indicators of someone who is battling this problem. Those who are affected by this disorder tend to show particular symptoms, which are similar to the withdrawal symptoms one experiences while trying to stop using a drug:
1. Sudden Outbursts of Anger and “Withdrawal” Rage
Consider the effect on the person trying to stop smoking cigarettes; they start trembling and getting agitated. The very same thing happens to people who are gaming. Should there be a drop in their Wi-Fi connection, or should their parents take away their game controllers, the person can start becoming angry, and an explosion of that emotion may happen. Should they be forbidden to continue playing, they will either start screaming and yelling or even start smashing things because their brain is hungry for some more “digits.”
2. Loss of Control
A person who is affected by Internet Gaming Disorder usually finds himself saying, “Just five more minutes,” yet ends up gaming for an additional five hours. He loses his capacity to tell time. He cannot control his gaming habit even though he knows that it is affecting him at work and school, or even with regards to his friends. Although he realizes he is getting into deeper problems, he still cannot help himself from pressing the “Start” button.
3. Physical Health Issues
Our bodies were not designed to remain seated in a single spot within a darkened room for 12 consecutive hours. Prolonged periods of sitting can lead to the following health problems:
- Bad Posture: This condition is often referred to as “Gamer Neck” or “Slouched Shoulders.”
- Pain in Wrists: The constant clicking and typing leads to too much pressure being put on the wrists, which causes them to hurt.
- Eye Strain: Eyes get tired from looking at bright screens, making them sore and blurry.
- Sedentary Problems: Poor digestive system and body weight, since people do not move around much.
4. Sleep Disturbances and Nightmares
The blue light of the screen gives an indication to the brain that it is day time even if it is nighttime. The result is sleep disturbances. In most cases, the players keep having pictures of the game running in their mind, and thus they have nightmares.
Homoeopathic Perspective and Totality
In treating IGD using a homeopathic method, the following two objectives can be identified as critical: first, relaxing the nervous system of the affected individual, and second, dealing with the emotional triggers that lead them into indulging in the virtual world. In this case, a particular remedy can be developed after observing each individual’s experience with the addiction.
Key Rubrics for Repertorization:
- Mind: Rage, fury; destructive.
- Mind: Delusions; visions, sees.
- Mind: Fear; darkness, of; being alone, of.
- Mind: Concentration; difficult; studying, while.
The Miasmatic Landscape of IGD
In order to address the issue of IGD successfully, it is important that the phenomenon be correlated to the miasms according to Hahnemann. Gaming addiction is rarely monolithic. It is a multifaceted fabric woven from both innate and acquired susceptibilities.
1. The Psoric Miasm (The Birth of Anxiety)
The Psoric addict gamifies in response to their feelings of inadequacy in real life. This inadequacy can be social, physical, or intellectual. Within the game, the individual has a “level playing field.” The individual’s symptoms are functional. These include anxiety at the loss of WiFi connection and palpitations during a high-pressure match.
2. The Sycotic Miasmatic Level (Fixation & Overindulgence)
Chronic IGD usually falls under the sycotic layer. The sycotic layer is characterized by excesses, obsessive behavior, and coordination. In this level, the “grinder” emerges; that is, a person who spends an entire 16-hour day doing the same thing repeatedly to become wealthy in the game world. It is marked by the growth of the personality of the ego as avatars, alongside “sycotic growth,” which appears physically as carpal tunnel syndrome or repetitive strain injury.
3. The Syphilitic Miasmatic Level (Destruction)
The third stage is when the “digital delirium” becomes outright destructive. It involves people who stop taking care of themselves in order to create sores, the gamers who damage their computer equipment in a state of rage over something that happened during the game session, and those who completely lose touch with reality.
Therapeutic Approach
1. Stramonium: The Remedy for Withdrawal Rage
Stramonium comes into consideration in cases where there is severe irritability or “digital delirium” during the withdrawal period.
- Key Symptoms: Sudden and violent outbreaks of anger; tendency to bite or hit; extreme fear of darkness when the screen is switched off; dilation of the pupils during episodes.
- Modality: Likes light and company; symptoms worsen in darkness.
2. Nux Vomica: The Sedentary Addict
- Indications: Anger and irritability; malice in anger; highly impatient; gastric problems and constipation because of sedentary habits.
- Modality: Aggravated by mental work and lack of sleep.
3. Tarentula Hispanica: The Hyperactive Gamer
- Indications: Restless physically; needs constant movement of hands or limbs; haste and need for rapid music or games.
- Modality: Benefited from rhythmic motion or music.
4. Natrum Muriaticum: The Silent Escape
- Indications: Gaming as an escape from emotional or social problems; likes to game in solitude; aggravation from consolation or parental interference.
Lifestyle Management
For the effective treatment of IGD, there should be a structured setting alongside homeopathy:
- Digital Detox Program: Rather than cold turkey method, reducing exposure to screens gradually to reduce any aggression related to withdrawal.
- Blue Light Sanitization: Using filters for screens and discontinuing usage two hours before going to bed to enable production of melatonin.
- Physical Exercise Program: Participating in some exercise daily to help cope with the immobile “psoric” form of the disorder.
- Social Skills Restoration: Doing things involving physical contact as part of a hobby to deal with social impairment and “brain-fag.”
Case Management Strategy
- Acute Phase: High potencies (200C or 1M) of Stramonium are administered in case of sudden violent behavior.
- Intercurrent Treatment: In cases where there is a pronounced miasmatic barrier, or a history of frequent respiratory and skin conditions along with the addiction, remedies like Bacillinum or Tuberculinum may be needed.
- Constitutional Support: Constitutional medication using remedies like Calcarea Carb or Baryta Carb will help treat the addictive personality and development delay due to the excessive use of screens.
Conclusion
It is not only excessive gaming activity, but a severe, chronic condition that disrupts the neurological processes in one’s brain and everyday functioning. The advantage of the Homeopathy method is that it does not merely target the external factors and their manifestations, but tackles the core issue, addressing all those feelings of irritation, outbursts, and other harmful behavior patterns. Through encouraging a natural healing process of the body, we can help people overcome the addiction to online games, and return to living an active life in the physical world. The individuality of each patient is considered at every stage of the therapy, which makes it unique and allows for a potent regulation of the nervous system. If we consider “Digital Delirium” a real-life medical problem, we will finally help our patients get back into reality.
References
- Schroyens F. SYNTHESIS 2.0 App. Belgium: trademark Zeus-Soft; 2009.
- Boericke W. Homoeopathic Materia Medica.
- Kent JT. Repertory of Homoeopathic Materia Medica.
- Davidson’s Principles and Practice of Medicine.
- Hutchison’s Clinical Methods, 24th Edition.
